The lockdowns across the country have had a variety of impacts on people, businesses and the economy. It has limited opportunities for many to earn their livelihoods and has been a far worse predicament for those among us that have been medically impacted. Consult PR’s President, Paul Ramkissoon, though, remains a steadfast optimist as he always tends to be. Thus, we were not surprised when he was interviewed recently and mentioned that he was experiencing an unexpected silver lining...the lockdown had afforded more time at home to connect and bond with his family.

Consult PR was already a remote functional business with all of our employees having the capability to effectively work from home since the mid 2000s. For Paul, the expectation was that not much would change during this period as he was already working and spending most of his time at home, right? Not quite! With schools closed, his two daughters (ages 5 and 12) have been at home all day and so the family is spending a lot more time together. This ‘new normal’ means they are having breakfast, lunch and dinner together, and homework is being done real-time instead of at the end of the day when everyone gets home. Essentially, there is now a large chunk of the day that simply wasn’t there before for family. They have found themselves doing things they didn’t usually do before on school nights, like playing sports together out in the yard, board games galore and binge watching TV together.  Also, everyone seems to have plenty of alone time to recharge and unwind which inevitably leads to his family members, perhaps subconsciously, seeking each other out for that in-person group social interaction that all human beings crave.

With more time to spend together during the week and without any of the usual extracurricular activity drop-offs/pick-ups or anywhere to go for that matter, they have also gained more time on the weekend. This has birthed a new habit of reaching out to extended family members to have virtual video chats. Family members that they spoke to only a handful of times during the year are now being contacted a couple of times a month.  “It has brought even the extended family into focus...and that is heartwarming and a pleasant, albeit unexpected, outcome of this pandemic,” said Paul.

We hope that you all find your silver lining, whether it be more family time, picking up a new hobby, working on your craft, self-improvement or something else. Continue to be safe and remember when life gives you lemons...be sure to make some lemonade!